New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-10-20
A Bush TO HEAR MRS. j. B. PO7TEp
FOUR HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR ONE BOX

LIVELY COMPETITION SENDS PRICES UP-TILrs A,
THE AUCTION SALE FOR THE FIRST NIGHT.
A solitary star assisted by three rather incompeen,
occupied the stage of the Fifth Avenue Theatr.
for over two hours yesterday The star was John n
Draper the auctoneer, aud the supers were Barton Kew
TT r. Lonsdale and an unknown gentleman who showed
b,msef 10 be equally awkward with either crayon or
pa int brush. The occasion was the sale OF seats for Mrs.
James Brown Potters first performance
Messrs Key and Lcnsdale were cast for the parts Of
auctioneers clerks and their evident unfamiliay with
their duties considerably DELAYED the glib tongei star
II was only when money was to be gathered In that Dir
Key showed any rapidly OF movement or thorough
grasp OF the subject The scene in which these acton
appeared was what would be Electrically known asa
| centre door fancy" in the first grooves. But the
beauty OF the scenic design marred by an enormous
diagram of the auditorium II was In his painfn endeav
ors to make marks upon this that the wielder Of the
brittle crayon and the frequently painless brush
general pity
Mr. Draper played the principal role with an easy, airy
grace that would have been worthy of Cha,es SuJao
Knocking down his relatives and though he was fire.
aueny embarrassed by the failure Of his assistants TO
give and take the proper cues, he managed TO hold his
audience Unlike most audiences in theatre this ore,
which consisted about $50 men and few ladies' did
not pay anything get in but many OF them had paid
or promised TO pay good deal before they got out.
MR. DRAPER OPENS THE PLAY
Mr. Drapers opening lines were an explanation that
the boxes to be first sold and that the price given
for one would not ene the purchaser to take Others
at In the case OF seats, however pur'
chaser ght take any number he desired The choice OF
the first started at 500: the next BID was Zoo
and then BY STAGES of s25 rapidly advanced to 1928
An offer OF $685. drew an indignant remark from the
auconeer the effect that it no use trying to save
a few cents on an admission ticket Then the p:ce
Jumped quickly to 500, at which figure ii was sold to
H. NJ Flagler; Box d. the purchasers selection.
This Is the the left hdni side Of the stage
looking from the auditorium, AMI corresponds WIN the
Gsey box on the opposite SIDE which is never sold.
Box C. was also started at 500 ami in four bids
reached 500, wnsn 1t secured by Mr. Berrian
The offer to start Box A. at only 500 caused Mr.
Draper say that pass out check for that would be
worth $780, and ne advised his audience to have a
good place" After this burst Of eoauence bids came III
ranidy till at $500 the coveted bought by
Joseph Pulitzer
This disposed of all the lower boxes and those or the
next tier proved be in less demand. j. H. Lyons
obtained ii. for 500.
What the price !" asked super Lonsdie' VINO
hadn't caught his cue.
The star had forgotten and he had 10 ask the pnr
chaser but excused lapse OF memory by stating tina,
the figure small that 1t had escaped him Ihoust
this raised laugh It did not raise prices and Box t.
went to BENJAMIN Wood for 500. Mr. Lamont
secured for s75, and Mr.. Tyson bought f. for 500
Now for the top boxes" cried Mr. Draper.
Don't sell those" interrupted super Key there are
tickets for them
Can any get into them ;" inquired the auction
ecr
Yes two can" answered voice owned by one OF Mt
StctsOn's assistants.
Then I'll sell them" asserted Mr.. Draper, tickets or
no tickets Now those are the best boxes in the house,
because Won can see without being SEEM when Is often
desirable and they onl hold two which need scarcely
tell some OF you is very frequently decided advantage
How muchl" Eight dolla RS was the utmost he could
extract for those airy perches and at mat price son
tookall four
THE SECOND ACT OPENS GAYLY.
ave will now sell the seats and they're all for sale
None have been reserved that is. mean only lew
have been reserved; that Is you know. to Ill some
orders-but those haven't been reserved; they VIII DO
bid for"
This was a somewhat enigmatic and contradictory
statement The audience smiled rather audiby. and Mr.
Draper hurried to get bids. How much Tor Arst
choice of : he queried.
Two dollars was the answer given by Nh Breniano.
"Two dollars" exclaimed the auctionees IN a huu
tone anl with a deeply wounded manner; do you want
to make enough OF this to pay for your new Paris
book store /"
40 one was destined to obtain seats at any such
prices Mr. Roth for the management took 81 at $40 30
10 fill orders. Their W. J. Pontun bought seats, =
in the third and in the fourth row, at $50 each tyson
took the next II $40 NJ Canary the manager
leaned out of box in which be had been keeping Mr.
Miner company and bought four seats at the sane price
Then for while higher figures ruled and small lot, were
bought cash purchasers who too modest TO giyo
their names at 81 80. 81 and $40 30.
Brockbolst Cutting secured six at Sl0 Mr.. Hcnmng-
way the price, and then Tyson took all that
were LETT in ) at the round figure.
Tell what you don't want" said Mr.. Draper as tho
Spectator was picking out his seats, II will he much
quicker" At $40 Mr. Walton, William Parsons aud Mr.
icBride took few seats. ana then Tyson bought an
other large block OF nearly three double rows AZ ts
stage the pot OF black pam that had been ira MI upon
for material eface the sold seats gave out Brlng
paint" cried super Key to an aideIe caup
hidden In the wings. $500.
Yes continued Charles Surface Draper and LET it
he scarlet Well paint her red This Is the greatest
theatrical auction ever saw
Red paint was found aud soon the diagram began -
assume a rudty hue No seats in the orchestra were
started al than aud the lowest price brought was
81 o5 AT which igde Brentano took all that were let
Other purchasers Mr.. saalicld. Mr. sulliNdl Dt
Collins aud Frederick Rullmann. Albert Weoerg" solr
seats in the 'front.' Of the orchestra circle al - d.
and the Spectators Mcbride. Tyson and B,eniano
secured others the first and second rows AZ h-cs
ranging from that down 70 -. Then Tyson bt - %
for the whole three and LETT Two s1.l TOW, al
the very back for BrentanO al - 30.
The speculators not tired even tlel al alrrA
few private purchasers had obtained vi at they req1ei
in the balcony blocks sold at 81 - 10 l. son AMI
Rullmann. Then Mr. Canary, who Was understood II IS
acting for Mr. Miner. stopped the sale by taking al tue
remaining seats AT ~